Poor air quality enveloping Delhi has started taking a toll on the people as many cases of breathing problems, sore eyes, skin irritation have started coming to fore. Patients suffering from Asthma, and other breathing disorders are facing the problem?now.
Dr Arvind Kumar, Lung Surgeon at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH)?says that people trying to cure themselves is a bigger worry, especially the use of inhalers when facing problems in breathing.
PTI
The air quality has remained severe for the sixth day as both the?government as well as private hospital continue to get cases of breathing issues and eye-related complications.
"In our hospital, we are getting many people, who are complaining of dry cough, sore eyes and skin itching. And, these people were otherwise healthy. People are also complaining of choking while in asthmatic patients it has precipitated acute attack. The air quality has become pretty bad, so one has to be very careful," Kumar told PTI.
According to the data shared by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the PM10 level was recorded at 420 in Delhi while the PM2.5 level was 107. The Air Quality Index (AOI) of the city remained severe at 402.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal? on Thursday? had ordered the? stoppage of construction activities across Delhi till Sunday as apart of emergency measures to bring down the sever dust pollution levels.
Head and Principal Consultant-Pulmonology, Max hospital Saket, Prashant Saxena said, "In the past few weeks there has been a change in the pattern of patients visiting the OPD."
"Patients with no history of respiratory ailments are complaining of cough and breathing issues. This is due to the change in weather, combined with pollution and dust storms.? Everyday four to five new patients are displaying symptoms of respiratory ailments," he said.
AIIMS, RML and? Safdurjung? hospitals are receiving such cases as well.?
PTI
"Yes, besides breathing troubles, other ill-effects of dust pollution is on eyes and skin. People should not venture out as much as possible for the time being or take proper precautions like wearing sunglasses or N95 masks to keep the dust and pollutants away. After returning home, one should wash the face and eyes with iced water," Kumar of SGRH said.
The doctors advised that pregnant women should avoid going out as the health hazards suffered by an expectant mother would also percolate to the baby.?
"Since Delhi has seen two big seasons of smog, so people, now know the problems ensuing from pollution. And, many of them are resorting to self-medication from prior experience. Under no circumstances, they should do that. Any medicine should be taken based on a prescription by a registered medical practitioner only.
"In my OPD, many patients told me that they were taking inhalers. Just like mask use had gone up during the smog, I reckon the inhaler use to has shot up," he said.